Even If Flowers Bloom on a Broken Branch - Chapter 58

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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58.
Sangseon hesitated for a brief moment before taking another step forward. His face remained completely expressionless, as if he hadn’t heard a single thing.
However, another commotion erupted outside, as if to catch him by the ankles.
“Your Majesty the Queen, you cannot. Your Majesty!”
The sound of the eunuchs stationed around the Grand Hall hurriedly rushing down the stairs echoed into the space. Lee Yeon looked at Sangseon.
“Should you not go out and check?”
“I was commanded with the duty of guiding the three individuals who have received permission.”
Sangseon replied while continuing to move his feet.
“Any other presence is a matter to be resolved at that line.”
At a glance, his words sounded like he was simply too busy with his current task to help it, but in a way, it carried another nuance.
‘As the one who guards the King’s side, it is below my station to look back.’
Lee Yeon bit her lip to swallow a bitter smile.
‘Did Sangseon do that knowingly or unknowingly?’
Just now, he had implicitly shown himself turning his back on the Queen.
‘And right in front of Hong Ran’s eyes.’
It was a deeply meaningful situation.
While Sangseon led the way, they crossed paths with numerous people passing through the palace corridors. They looked utterly aghast at the sight of the Grand Prince, the Grand Princess Consort, and Hong Ran walking side by side.
In particular, they could not tear their eyes away from Hong Ran, who was following at the very back.
“Your Majesty, I have brought them.”
Sangseon stopped in front of a certain room and announced their presence to the inside. It was a different location from where they had met during her last visit.
Jinyul’s eyes turned slightly subtle.
“It is the Office.”
He whispered to Lee Yeon.
“This is the first time I am meeting him in the Office rather than the audience chamber.”
An office would naturally be a place where the entry of many people was restricted, meaning there was a high possibility he had prepared this location with Hong Ran in mind.
‘It means he is paying that much attention to Hong Ran.’
As expected, was Jinpyeong truly genuine about Hong Ran?
Right then, a cold voice drifted out from within.
“Let them enter.”
Lee Yeon took a deep breath. Beside her, Jinyul lightly squeezed her hand before letting go. And then, Lee Yeon—
“…….”
Looked at Hong Ran.
Hong Ran, who had been staring at her the entire time, slowly curved her eyes into a smile.
And the doors to the Office closed.
* * *
The temperature inside the room was just as chilly as it was outside. In fact, the corridor felt warmer.
‘Or perhaps all the blood in my body has run cold because I am facing this man.’
Anger and hatred were only a hair’s breadth apart. She had heard that when it boiled so intensely, it actually felt freezing cold. Like a brilliantly blue, blazing flame.
Lee Yeon stared straight ahead without a word.
‘Jinpyeong.’
He was an object of hatred with all her heart. If it were possible, if only she could, she wanted to strike that man’s cheeks countless times with these hands. She wanted to strangle his neck just as he had done to her.
Yet that was utterly impossible, and the only thing she could do was quietly swallow this rage.
To her immense frustration.
“Seeing the three of you standing here like this—”
Jinpyeong said as he slowly rose from his chair.
“Gives me a very strange feeling.”
He walked around the desk with a languid stride.
“The one who causes me the most concern.”
Jinpyeong’s gaze passed Jinyul and landed on Lee Yeon’s face.
“The one who enrages me—and.”
The spot where his footsteps halted was right in front of Hong Ran.
“The one who makes me curious are standing side by side.”
Lee Yeon was astonished by how easily Jinpyeong’s gaze drifted away from her.
‘After acting as though he would be so obsessed with me.’
Could it really be cast aside this easily?
Following the great astonishment and a small sense of relief, what remained was emptiness, and then guilt. It was directed toward the person who was now absorbing the full brunt of his gaze with her small body.
Lee Yeon spoke quietly.
“Since the day I last saw you, I have deliberated deeply without missing a single day.”
Jinpyeong slowly looked toward Lee Yeon. Keeping her eyes silently fixed on her toes, Lee Yeon continued her words.
“This child is a very precious bond to me, and because I swore to myself that I would protect her this time no matter what, I dared to hesitate despite knowing it was a Royal Decree. I am deeply sorry.”
“……Hearing you say that only makes me more interested.”
Jinpyeong muttered.
“Is it not far better to possess something cherished rather than something treated carelessly?”
That might be true if it were an object. But if it were a person, it was a completely different story.
Feeling once again what an utterly detestable man he was, Lee Yeon bit her lip. It saddened her that the time to say those words was drawing nearer and nearer.
Just then, Hong Ran took a step forward.
“May this young girl say a word?”
Jinpyeong looked at her as if caught by surprise. Then, he gave a casual nod.
“I permit it.”
Hong Ran’s eyes shone with absolute confidence.
“I cannot express how joyful I am that Your Majesty desires me, however unworthy I am. Not only did you save me, but allowing me to serve by your side for the rest of my days truly overwhelms me with gratitude.”
Hong Ran was smiling brightly, as if she truly meant it, as if there wasn’t a single speck of doubt in her heart.
However, Lee Yeon saw that her hands were trembling violently. Her tightly clenched hands had turned stark white, utterly devoid of blood.
“Therefore.”
Hong Ran slowly lifted her head to look at Lee Yeon. Her pitch-black, innocent eyes curved into a sweet smile.
“I shall say my farewells here.”
Lee Yeon realized Hong Ran’s true intentions. Her motive and plan were clear.
Before Lee Yeon could send her away, Hong Ran had already made up her mind; it meant she was choosing this path of her own volition rather than going because of her master’s decision.
‘So, let me go with a clear conscience.’
With peace of mind.
Because those words practically rang in her ears, Lee Yeon bit her lip for a moment before slowly bending her waist.
“Your Majesty.”
Lee Yeon dropped her knees and placed her hands on the floor. She bowed her head toward the ground.
A woman who would rather choose to faint from punishment than kneel before the King was now bowing her head for Hong Ran’s sake.
Rather than an act of courtesy toward a sovereign, it was a grand resolve and the pure sincerity of someone surrendering their most precious person.
“I entrust Hong Ran to you. Please…… please remember this.”
Jinpyeong did not answer. Nor did he look pleased that Lee Yeon had lowered her body all the way to the floor to beg. He merely stared down at that sight, deep in thought.
And Hong Ran, who had been standing slightly behind Lee Yeon.
“…….”
Shifted her feet and stood beside Lee Yeon. She took another step and stood in front of Lee Yeon. And finally, she took one last step to stand right before Jinpyeong’s gaze.
As if crossing the boundary of life itself, someone’s choices, hatred, and affection were all heaped onto those small shoulders at once.
Lee Yeon breathed in deeply as she stared at the hem of Hong Ran’s skirt directly ahead of her.
‘You have ended up in this place again. And you have stood by his side once more.’
Was this truly your destiny?
As if she had heard Lee Yeon’s inner voice, Hong Ran turned her head slightly. She smiled softly.
“Thank you for everything, My Lady.”
It was right when Lee Yeon’s eyes trembled faintly at the barely audible, low whisper.
The outside suddenly erupted into absolute chaos.
“You cannot enter this place! What do you think you are doing?!”
The sound of multiple footsteps rushing over echoed through. Along with frantic voices trying to hold someone back and a sound like something shattering.
And the commotion was drawing closer and closer.
“Your Majesty the Queen!”
It happened simultaneously.
At the exact moment the eunuch let out a desperate cry, the doors were violently thrown open. People tried to close the doors with aghast expressions, but at the hand that blocked them with a resounding slam, everyone gasped and stumbled back a step.
The person who had walked in after causing such an uproar stood there with an expression that looked utterly speechless instead.
Her gaze landed on Jinyul first. After that, it lingered heavily upon Lee Yeon, who was raising her body, and then it slowly shifted—
“…….”
Before fixing itself with a burning, blood-red intensity onto Hong Ran, who stood directly in front of Jinpyeong.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Novels. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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